Past Speakers

Speakers

We have monthly luncheons on 3rd Thurs of each month, featuring interesting speakers.

Upcoming Speakers

9-18-2025

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

Two docents will lead a tour of "Highlights of the Museum's Collection". Lunch follows at the restaurant China Pavilion, where we have invited Paul Hayes Tucker, art historian, professor, curator, and author, to speak.

10-16-2025

Michael Baker

Michael Baker, Chief Executive Officer, United Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Barbara County (UBGC)

Past Speakers

8-21-2025

Bill Macfadyen

Bill Macfadyen, Founder and Publisher of Noozhawk.com, will speak on “Covering news in Santa Barbara”.

7-17-2025

Max Palmer

Max Palmer, University of Michigan and UCSB Material Science Department, spoke on "All solid batteries: An 1800’s discovery for tomorrow’s energy solutions".

6-26-2025

Kieran Shah

Kieran Shah, President and CEO of VNA Health, Board Chair (Provider Representative), spoke on "Visiting nurse and hospice care in the Santa Barbara area".

5-22-2025

Peter Rupert

Peter Rupert, Professor of Economics, UCSB, Director of Economic Forecast Project, spoke on "The annual economic forecast for our region".

4-24-2025

Chris Mailes & Mark Hartwig

Chris Mailes, Chief of the City of Santa Barbara fire department, and Mark Hartwig, Chief of the Santa Barbara County fire department, spoke on "How our fire departments serve our communities".

3-27-2025

Brenda Major

Brenda Major, Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at UCSB, spoke on “The Psychology of Stigma”.

2-27-2025

Aaron Rabinowitz

Aaron Rabinowitz, Emergency Response Manager of Direct Relief International, spoke on “Emergency Response in Africa During a Time of Global Unrest”.

1-23-2025

Greg Gorga

Greg Gorga, Executive Director of Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, spoke on “13,000 Years of Santa Barbara Maritime History”.

10-24-2024

Professor Susannah Scott

Susannah Scott, Professor of Chemical Engineering, spoke on "Decarbonizing locally and globally: Challenges and opportunities".

9-26-2024

Susie Bozzini

Susie Bozzini spoke on “Rollover Crash Analysis for Vehicle Safety Improvements - Is your vehicle safe?”

8-22-2024

Gregg Newman, MD

Gregg Newman, MD, spoke on “Mistakes Doctors (and Everyone!) Make: An Inquiry into Bad Decision Making in Medicine and Beyond.”

7-25-2024
Scot Pipkin

Scot Pipkin, Director of Education and Engagement for SB Botanic Garden, spoke on "A Call to Action for Native Plants".

6-27-2024
Lieutenant Colonel Darin J. Lister

Lt Col Lister of Vandenberg Base spoke on the United States Space Force.

5-16-2024
Bill Dedman

Investigative journalist Bill Dedman spoke on “The Clark Wealth, Huguette Clark, and Santa Barbara”.

4-25-2024
Prof. Mark Juergensmeyer

Professor emeritus of sociology and global studies at UCSB, Dr. Juergensmeyer spoke on "Three Misconceptions about Hamas".

3-28-2024
Honorable Brian Hill (Ret)

A judge for the Santa Barbara County Superior Court, he spoke on the topic of “presidential immunity”.

2-22-2024
Prof. Joel Rothman

Director of UCSB's Center for Aging and Longevity Studies, Prof. Rothman spoke on: “Extending healthy lifespan: scientific promises and societal challenges.”

1-25-2024
Dan Aldritch, PhD

Dr. Aldrich has led Development/Advancement efforts in the UC System. The title of his talk was “The University of California: A State Treasure?”

11-30-2023
Peter Jordano

Mr. Jordano, CEO of Jordano’s Foodservice and Pacific Beverage Co., spoke on "My Business Career and Jordano’s Foodservice".

The San Marcos High School Madrigals vocal ensemble stopped by to treat the Cosmos to a holiday presentation.

10-26-2023
Dr. Larry Basham, DDS.

Dr. Basham spoke about the founding and growth of Santa Barbara's local genealogical society which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2022.

9-21-2023
Prof. Dennis Clegg

Dennis Clegg is Professor of Biological Engineering and Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology at UCSB. The title of his talk was "Advances in Stem Cell Research."

Cosmo members were treated to a follow-up tour of his stem cell lab on 1-26-2024.

8-17-2023
Paul Jaconette

Paul Jaconette, MPH has over 30 years of executive leadership experience in healthcare organizations. He gave an overview of the latest healthcare trends at the local, state, and federal levels.

7-20-2023
Richard Pimentel

Richard Pimentel is Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Community West Bank, and spoke about "Status of Regional Banks."

6-15-2023
Sylvia Stoney

Sylvia Stoney works with canines through the National Disaster Search Dog Foundation and the Ventura County Sheriff’s Volunteer Search and Rescue Team.